Capital in the Capital: Democracy in the Neoliberal City

Abstract

This thesis examines the democratic deficits emerging from Ottawa’s local governance in the context of neoliberal urbanism. It argues that while private investment is often framed as essential to urban development, it simultaneously undermines democratic principles of accountability and transparency and the equitable redistribution of power and resources. Tracing the historical political-economic conditions that have driven austerity and privatization, the study analyzes their impact on municipal governance, citizen engagement, and political imaginaries. Focusing on housing as a central site of analysis, it explores how the influence of private real estate developers contributes to the displacement of low-income residents and deepens inequities in democratic representation while eroding substantial democratic rights. It further demonstrates how local government bureaucracy is increasingly weaponized to suppress dissent rather than facilitate inclusive civic debate. The current democratic crisis extends beyond voter apathy to include the structural limitations that prevent citizens from shaping the economic and social systems that govern their lives. Ultimately, it argues that addressing this crisis requires not just policy reform, but a fundamental reimagining of democracy itself—one that challenges the depoliticization of economic life and reclaims collective decision-making as a democratic imperative.